A Nintendo Switch Mini or Nintendo Switch Pocket handheld console could be in the pipeline according to a popular X-based leaker. It seems the source has dug up numerous patents that point to a miniature Switch, although patents often lead to nothing more than the public description of an idea. However, this hasn’t stopped the leaker predicting a price and release date for a Switch Mini.

I think we all know that patents don’t usually mean anything and aren’t an indicator of a product actually coming to launch, but what do you all think of a potentially smaller, more portable Switch?

  • CosmicSploogeDrizzle@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
    9·
    11 months ago

    I can see them diverging again with a beefy next get one (aka switch 2), but then also introducing a nano switch. The only issue I think is if they are both introduced at the same time and only the switch 2 can play switch 2 games (and is backwards compatible) and the nano could only play switch 1 games, then consumers will be confused.

    • TAG@lemmy.worldEnglish
      71·
      11 months ago

      Will that be confusing? Nintendo released the Game Boy Micro (only plays Game Boy Advance cartridges) after the DS (DS and GBA cartridges). I don’t think too many people were confused.

      To avoid confusion, Nintendo should name their next system something other than Switch 2, Switch Next, or something else with Switch in the name. Then again, I cannot understand the Xbox naming convention is a bit nonsense but no one is out rioting in the streets.

      • Kiosade@lemmy.caEnglish
        5·
        11 months ago

        I’ve never really cared about Xbox, and tbh I don’t even understand what the newest one is supposed to be called anymore. They really “Wii U’d” hard with the last few names.

        • samus12345@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          11 months ago

          Took me a while to understand the difference between all the recent Xboxes. I hate their naming scheme!

          Xbox One = base unit, released in 2013. Equivalent to PS4.

          Xbox One X = mid-gen upgrade, released in 2017. Equivalent to PS4 Pro.

          Xbox Series S = lower-tier current-gen console, released in 2020. No PS equivalent.

          Xbox Series X = higher-tier current-gen console, released in 2020 alongside the Series S. Equivalent to PS5.

      • CosmicSploogeDrizzle@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
        4·
        11 months ago

        Switch 2 is a clear sign to consumers that it’s not a Switch, which is the issue they had with the WiiU. I think Nintendo will be too scared to risk a repeat of that honestly. I could see a Nano getting a name like Switch Pocket or something similar. But Switch Next is a bigger risk

    • slimerancher@lemmy.worldMEnglish
      41·
      11 months ago

      No, please no. They should stick with just one. They don’t have enough output to split into two consoles.